Tag: one word

Happy New Year! I have chosen the word renew for my one word for 2018. I have been choosing a word at the new year to guide me through the coming year for 9 years now, when I first heard about this on Ali Edward’s blog in 2010. My previous words were 2017-believe, 2016-open, 2015-love, 2014-trust, 2013-grow, 2012-be, 2011-focus, and 2010-create. These words can all be found in an altered card deck that I made about 3 years ago. It is a nice practice to choose a word for the coming year… it is kind of like lighting a candle and setting an intention for the new year.

Renew has several meanings listed in the dictionary:
– To make new, fresh, or strong again
– To make new spiritually
– To begin again
– To restore to existence
– To make extensive changes in
All of these meanings have significance for me as I seek renewal, better health, and more balance in my life. Renewal for me means yoga, exercise, a healthier diet, and a healthy lifestyle. Part of this means learning to say no to things that would overextend me. I need time to myself to just be. This also means saying yes to things that would be good for me.

I have been reading a lot lately and wanted to share the pile of books on my coffee table that I am enjoying. I am pretty much a nonfiction reader and I like to read inspirational books from the writer’s viewpoint and see how other people experience their world. Books expose you to new ideas and help you to transcend and transform your life to something better. I have some books on my iPad but there is something magical about a book that you can hold in your hands.

I have slowly begun art journaling again after a long hiatus. This has been somewhat tentative at first and has been happening at my coffee table with an art-to-go tote bag. I have a small art studio downstairs which is combined with a home office, library, and quilting/sewing studio. I have not been working on my art or quilting down there at all and my intention is to spend some time art journaling in the studio so that I can paint and get messy. I am doing 3 year-long art journal prompts/workshops this year… Wanderlust 2018, Journal52 2018,and Documented Life 2018. I did this art journaling page last week to celebrate that I am going to Squam Art Workshops in June which I am very excited about! I sent in my deposit and registration forms this week and also put in for vacation time at work.

I have been doing a lot of crocheting the past 6 months as it is easy and portable. Knitting and crocheting are very meditational processes and crocheting was very comforting for me when I was going through medical treatments and not feeling very well. Here is my Sunday shawl that I recently completed. I found the pattern on Ravelry which is like the Facebook for knitters and crocheters. I am looking forward to renewal and growth in the new year!

I have chosen the word believe as my word for 2017. It has been a practice in the creative community to choose one word, or to have one word choose you, to serve as a guide for the coming year. This a simple way to say goodbye to the old year and welcome in the new year. Your chosen word helps you to set an intention for the year. It can also bring you back to your center as you make your way along the path of life.

For me, the word believe has a magical quality. It means believing in something that you can’t see but that you know is there. It means trusting in the goodness of a person you hold dear and not doubting them. Above all, it means believe in yourself and have faith in your ability to overcome challenges. It means believe that the world is a wondrous, beautiful place and that we all have a reason to be here, however small and insignificant we may feel at times.

I have been choosing a word for the new year since 2010 when I saw a blog post asking for everyone’s one word posted on Ali Edwards‘ blog at the end of the year. I remember trying to read all of the posts about everyone’s chosen word, but there must have been over 2,000 replies to Ali’s blog post. I was alone at the time and it was so inspiring and moving to read all of these heartfelt intentions for the new year. I felt connected to women all over the world. Ali is a scrapbooking/ life artist and she has inspired many, not only for sharing her creativity but for sharing her life stories. She makes the ordinary, everyday things in life feel quite extraordinary.